Hydrant nozzle cap spacer

ABSTRACT

Example aspects of a nozzle cap spacer for a hydrant nozzle cap, a spaced nozzle cap assembly, and a method for adjusting a rotational indexing of a nozzle cap are disclosed. The nozzle cap spacer for a hydrant nozzle cap can comprise a spacer body defining an outer body edge; and a resilient first spacer spring arm extending from the outer body edge, wherein the first spacer spring arm is biased away from the spacer body in an extended orientation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to fire hydrants. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to a spacer for a hydrant nozzle cap.

BACKGROUND

Fire hydrants are commonly connected to fluid systems, such as municipalwater infrastructure systems and water mains, through standpipes. A leakdetection system may be provided for detecting leaks in the fluid systemand can be attached to a nozzle cap, and the nozzle cap be attached to anozzle of the fire hydrant. Leak detection systems often comprise anantenna, which should be appropriately oriented for ideal transmissionand reception of signal. A gasket may be positioned between the nozzlecap and the fire hydrant to adjust the rotational indexing of the nozzlecap relative to the fire hydrant, thus adjusting the orientation of theantenna.

In some fire hydrants, such as some wet barrel hydrants, a leak pathmight be provided in the nozzle cap to allow water or air to leak outthe nozzle cap, relieving pressure between the nozzle and the nozzle capwhen the nozzle is closed after use. In some aspects, the leakage ofwater out of the nozzle cap can indicate that a valve within the nozzleis not fully closed. However, a gasket for sealing the nozzle cap withthe nozzle can resiliently deform into the leak path, blocking waterfrom draining out of the nozzle cap and preventing the pressure thereinfrom being reduced.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is a nozzle cap spacer for a hydrant nozzle cap comprising aspacer body defining an outer body edge; and a resilient first spacerspring arm extending from the outer body edge, wherein the first spacerspring arm is biased away from the spacer body in an extendedorientation.

Also disclosed is a spaced nozzle cap assembly comprising a nozzle capcomprising a cap body, the cap body comprising a bore sidewall defininga threaded bore; and a nozzle cap spacer comprising a spacer body and aspacer spring arm extending from the spacer body, the nozzle cap spacerreceived within the threaded bore, the spacer spring arm engaging thebore sidewall.

Also disclosed is a method for adjusting a rotational indexing of anozzle cap, the method comprising providing a nozzle cap and nozzleconnector, the nozzle cap defining a threaded bore; inserting a nozzlecap spacer into the threaded bore to adjust a rotational indexing of thenozzle cap relative to the nozzle connector; and connecting the nozzlecap to the nozzle connector.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hydrant assembly comprising anozzle cap connected to a nozzle of a fire hydrant, in accordance withone aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the nozzle cap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a nozzle cap spacer for use with the nozzle capof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the nozzle cap spacer of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear exploded view of a nozzle connector of the nozzle ofFIG. 1 and a spaced nozzle cap assembly comprising the nozzle cap ofFIG. 1 and the nozzle cap spacer of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the spaced nozzle cap assembly ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the spaced nozzle cap assembly ofFIG. 5 engaged with the nozzle connector of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a front exploded view of nozzle connector of FIG. 5 and thespaced nozzle cap assembly according to another aspect of the presentdisclosure, wherein the spaced nozzle cap assembly comprises the nozzlecap of FIG. 1 and a pair of the nozzle cap spacers of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the pair of nozzle cap spacers ofFIG. 8 stacked together.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the spaced nozzle cap assembly ofFIG. 8 engaged with the nozzle connector of FIG. 5 taken along line10-10 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a rear exploded view of the nozzle connector of FIG. 1 andthe spaced nozzle cap assembly according to another aspect of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed in the present application is a nozzle cap spacer for ahydrant nozzle cap and associated methods, systems, devices, and variousapparatus. Example aspects of the nozzle cap spacer can define a spacerbody and one or more spacer spring arms extending outwardly therefrom.The nozzle cap spacer can be configured to be generally received betweena hydrant nozzle cap and a hydrant nozzle to adjust the rotationalindexing of the hydrant nozzle cap relative to the hydrant nozzle. Itwould be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed nozzlecap spacer is described in but a few exemplary aspects among many. Noparticular terminology or description should be considered limiting onthe disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydrant assembly 100 comprising a firehydrant 110 and a nozzle cap 150, in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure. Example aspects of the fire hydrant 110 can be a wetbarrel hydrant, as shown; however, in other aspects, the fire hydrant110 can be any other type of hydrant known in the art, such as, forexample, a dry barrel hydrant. The fire hydrant 110 can comprise abarrel 120, one or more nozzles 140 a,b, and, in some aspects, a hydrantcap 180, as shown. In other aspects, no hydrant cap 180 is present andthe barrel 120 can be closed at a top barrel end 122 of the barrel 120.In a wet barrel hydrant, water can be housed within the barrel 120 atall times, even when the fire hydrant 110 is not in use. Each of thenozzles 140 a,b can have its own independent valve (not shown) toprevent or allow water flow to the respective nozzle 140 a,b. In a drybarrel hydrant, the barrel 120 can be drained of water when the firehydrant 110 is not in use, and the valve for preventing or allowingwater flow to the nozzles 140 a,b can be housed below ground, such thatwater will not freeze in the barrel 120 in cold conditions. The barrel120 can define a top barrel end 122 and a bottom barrel end 124 disposedopposite from the top barrel end 122. The barrel 120 can besubstantially tubular and can define a barrel axis 101 extending fromthe top barrel end 122 to the bottom barrel end 124. In the presentaspect, the barrel axis 101 can be substantially vertically aligned.

The barrel 120 can comprise a base flange 128 disposed at the bottombarrel end 124. The base flange 128 can be fastened to a standpipeflange 199 of a standpipe 198 of a fluid system (not shown), such as awater main, for example and without limitation. Example aspects of thestandpipe 198 can be formed from a metal material, such as, for example,iron or steel. Other aspects of the standpipe 198 can be formed from anyother suitable material known in the art. The base flange 128 of thebarrel 120 can be fastened to the standpipe flange 199 by a plurality offasteners (not shown), for example, or by any other suitable connectionmethod known in the art. A cap flange 182 of the hydrant cap 180 can beattached to the top barrel end 122 of the barrel 120 with a plurality offasteners (not shown), by threaded engagement, or my any other suitableconnection method known in the art. In other aspects, the cap flange 182can be fastened to the top barrel end 122 and/or the base flange 128 canbe fastened to the standpipe flange 199 by any other suitable fastenersknown in the art, including but not limited to, adhesives, welding, orany suitable mechanical fasteners. Example aspects of the barrel 120 cancomprise an first operation nut 184 a, or “op nut”, positioned oppositethe nozzle 140 a and nozzle cap 150, which can be rotated to open andclose a first valve (not shown) mounted in the nozzle 140 a in order torespectively supply or cut off pressurized water flow through the nozzle140 a from the barrel 120. Furthermore, as shown, example aspects of thebarrel 120 can further comprise a second operation nut 184 b positionedopposite the nozzle 140 b, which can be operated to open and close asecond valve (not shown) mounted in the nozzle 140 b.

According to example aspects, the nozzle cap 150 can be screwed onto thenozzle 140 a to seal the nozzle 140 a in a sealed orientation.Furthermore, in some aspects, a hose cap 160 can be screwed onto thenozzle 140 b to seal the nozzle 140 b in a sealed orientation. With thenozzle cap 150 sealing the nozzle 140 a, pressurized water from thefluid system cannot escape through the nozzle 140 a when the main valve(not shown) is in an open position. As shown, the nozzle cap 150 candefine a cap nut 152 that can be turned, such as with a wrench oranother suitable tool, to tighten or loosen the nozzle cap 150 on thenozzle 140 a. In example aspects, the fire hydrant 110 can be formedfrom a metal material, such as, for example, iron, and the nozzle 140 acan be formed from a metal material such as iron. In other aspects,however, the fire hydrant 110 and/or the nozzle 140 a can be formed fromany other suitable material or combination of materials known in theart.

In example aspects, the nozzle cap 150 can comprise a leak detectionsystem (not shown). For example, the nozzle cap 150 may comprise avibration sensor which can be configured to detect leaks within thefluid system by monitoring vibrations travelling up the standpipe 198and through the fire hydrant 110 when the nozzle cap 150 is mounted onthe nozzle 140 a. Vibration patterns within the fluid system canindicate the presence of leaks within the fluid system. According toexample aspects, the nozzle cap 150 can further comprise an antenna 700(shown in FIG. 7). The antenna 700 can be configured to transmit asignal outwards from the nozzle cap 150 to convey whether leaks havebeen identified within the fluid system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the nozzle cap 150 of the firehydrant 110 of FIG. 1. The nozzle cap 150 can comprise a cap body 210and a cap cover 280. Example aspects of the cap cover 280 can be formedfrom a metal material, such as for example, ductile iron. The cap body210 can define a first body end 212 and a second body end 214 disposedopposite from the first body end 212. The cap body 210 can furthercomprise an inner housing 230 and an outer module, such as an outerhousing 240. According to example aspects, the inner housing 230 and/orouter housing 240 can be formed from a substantially rigid material. Forexample, the inner housing 230 can be formed from a metal material, suchas, for example, ductile iron, and the outer housing 240 can be formedfrom a plastic material. Example aspects of the plastic material of theouter housing 240 can be a glass-filled plastic material to provide animproved acoustic performance for the leak detection system. The capcover 280 can be attached to the first body end 212 of the cap body 210at the outer housing 240. The inner housing 230 of the cap body 210 candefine a threaded bore 216 extending into the cap body 210 from thesecond body end 214 to an inner wall 220 of the cap body 210. Thethreaded bore 216 can define a cap axis 201 of the cap body 210, and thecap axis 201 can extend from the first body end 212 to the second bodyend 214. According to example aspects, the nozzle cap 150 can be amodular system wherein the outer module, such as the outer housing 240,can be easily removed and/or replaced, as desired. For example, it maybe desired to remove the outer housing 240 temporarily for repair or toreplace the removed outer housing 240 with a new outer housing 240 or adifferent outer module. For example, the nozzle cap 150 can be similarto the modular nozzle cap disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/428,744, filed May 31, 2019, which is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

According to example aspects, the threaded bore 216 can be defined by abore sidewall 217 comprising internal threading 218, and the threadedbore 216 can be screwed onto the nozzle 140 a (shown in FIG. 1), whichcan be, for example and without limitation, a standard threaded nozzle,to mount the nozzle cap 150 on the nozzle 140 a by rotating the nozzlecap 150 about the cap axis 201. In some aspects, as shown, the internalthreading 218 may not extend fully from the second body end 214 to theinner wall 220. For example, in the present aspect, the internalthreading 218 terminates before reaching the inner wall 220, and anannular recess 219 can be formed in the bore sidewall 217 between theinternal threading 218 and the inner wall 220. In the present aspect,the internal threading 218 can be straight threading that does not taperfrom the second body end 214 towards the inner wall 220. In otheraspects, the internal threading 218 can be tapered threading that tapersfrom the second body end 214 towards the inner wall 220. Moreover, inother aspects the internal threading 218 can instead be formed asexternal threading.

According to example aspects, as shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle cap 150 candefine a leak channel 250 formed therein. In the present aspect, theleak channel 250 can generally define an L-shape. The L-shaped leakchannel 250 can comprise a first leak channel segment 252 formed in theinner wall 220 of the cap body 210 and a second leak channel segment 254formed in the bore sidewall 217 of the threaded bore 216 and extendingacross the internal threading 218. As shown, the second leak channelsegment 254 can extend from the first leak channel segment 252 to thesecond body end 214 of the cap body 210. Other aspects of the leakchannel 250 can define any other suitable shape or configuration.According to example aspects, the leak channel 250 can define a leakpath that can allow air or water to leak out of the nozzle cap 150 torelieve pressure between the nozzle cap 150 and the nozzle 140 a, suchas after the nozzle 140 a is closed after use. In some aspects, whereinthe valve within the nozzle 140 is not fully or properly closed,pressurized water can flow from the barrel 120 (shown in FIG. 1) throughthe valve in the nozzle 140 a. A small amount of the pressurized watercan leak out of the nozzle cap 150 and into the surrounding environmentthrough the leak channel 250 to indicate that the valve is not closed.In some aspects, as shown, the inner wall 220 of the cap body 210 candefine a recessed center region 221 that can facilitate allowing waterto flow into the leak channel 250 at the first leak channel segment 252.

In various aspects, it can be desired to orient the antenna 700 of theleak detection system in an upward-facing position, wherein the antenna700 is pointed generally vertically upward (i.e., towards the sky).Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in aspects wherein the antenna 700 is not inan upward-facing position when the nozzle cap 150 is mounted to thenozzle 140 a, one or more nozzle cap spacers 310 can be provided forselectively adjusting the orientation of the antenna 700 to the desiredposition (e.g., the upward-facing position). Example aspects of thenozzle cap spacer 310 can define a front spacer surface 312 and a rearspacer surface 514 (shown in FIG. 5). The nozzle cap spacer 310 candefine a thickness T (shown in FIG. 4) between the front spacer surface312 and the rear spacer surface 514. Further, the nozzle cap spacer 310can comprise a spacer body 320 and one or more spacer spring arms 330extending outward from the spacer body 320. As shown in the presentaspect, the spacer body 320 can define a substantially circularcross-sectional shape, and can generally define a substantially circularinner body edge 322 and a substantially circular outer body edge 324.

The inner body edge 322 can define a body opening 326 formed through acenter of the spacer body 320. The spacer spring arms 330 can extendoutward from the outer body edge 324 at an acute angle α (e.g., an angleless than 90°), as illustrated. For example, a proximal arm end 332 ofeach of the spacer spring arms 330 can be connected to the spacer body320 and a distal arm end 334 of each of the spacer spring arms 330opposite the proximal arm end 332 can be spaced away from the spacerbody 320. As shown, in example aspects, each of the spacer spring arms330 can be substantially arcuate in shape and can define an arcuateinner arm edge 336 extending from the proximal arm end 332 to the distalarm end 334 and an arcuate outer arm edge 338 extending from theproximal arm end 332 to the distal arm end 334. In the present aspect,the nozzle cap spacer 310 can comprise two spacer spring arms 330positioned at substantially opposite sides of the spacer body 320;however, in other aspects, the nozzle cap spacer 310 can comprise moreor fewer spacer spring arms 330, which can be arranged in any suitableorientation around the outer body edge 324.

In some aspects, the nozzle cap spacer 310 can be formed from a flexibleand resilient material, such as, for example and without limitation, ametal material such as steel, such that the spacer spring arms 330 canbe naturally biased away from the spacer body 320 in an extendedorientation, but can be resiliently deformable towards the spacer body320. For example, the spacer spring arms 330 can be compressed inwardtowards the spacer body 320 to a compressed orientation when asufficient force is applied to the spacer spring arms 330. Thecompressed orientation can be a fully compressed orientation or apartially compressed orientation. According to example aspects, a notch350 can be formed proximate to a joint 352 between the spacer body 320and each spacer spring arm 330 to facilitate flexing of the spacerspring arms 330 at the corresponding joint 352. When fully compressedtowards the spacer body 320, the inner arm edge 336 of each spacerspring arm 330 can abut a corresponding length L_(a) of the outer bodyedge 324. In the partially compressed orientation (shown in FIG. 6),however, the spacer spring arms 330 may not abut the correspondinglength L_(a) of the outer body edge 324.

Furthermore, in the present aspect, as shown, the diameter of the outerbody edge 324 of the spacer body 320 can vary. For example, an inwardstep 360 can be formed in the outer body edge 324 at a distal length end301 of each of the lengths L_(a). As such, the diameter of the outerbody edge 324 can be decreased along each of the lengths L_(a) to definea corresponding body recess 362 the outer body edge 324 generallybetween the inward step 360 and the notch 350 (i.e., along the lengthL_(a)). In example aspects, when each of the spacer spring arms 330 isfully compressed towards the spacer body 320, such that the inner armedge 336 of the spacer spring arm 330 can abut the corresponding lengthL_(a) of the outer body edge 324, the spacer spring arm 330 can begenerally received within the corresponding body recess 362. Moreover,in some aspects, in the fully compressed orientation, the nozzle capspacer 310 can define a substantially circular cross-sectional shapedefining a substantially consistent nozzle cap spacer outer diameter(not shown).

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a spaced nozzle cap assembly 500comprising the nozzle cap 150 and the nozzle cap spacer 310. As shown,the nozzle cap spacer 310 can be oriented such that it is substantiallyconcentric to the cap axis 201 of the nozzle cap 150. The nozzle capspacer 310 can be configured to be received within the threaded bore 216of the cap body 210 and the spacer spring arms 330 can be configured toengage the bore sidewall 217 of the threaded bore 216, as will be shownand described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 6.Furthermore, according to example aspects, the nozzle 140 a (shown inFIG. 1) can comprise a nozzle connector 550. The nozzle connector 550can be substantially cylindrical in shape and can be oriented such thatit is substantially concentric to the cap axis 201. Example aspects ofthe nozzle connector 550 can generally define a first connector end 552and a second connector end 554. In some aspects, the nozzle connector550 can be a threaded nozzle connector. For example, the nozzleconnector 550 can define external threading 556 configured to mate withthe internal threading 218 of the threaded bore 216 of the cap body 210,as will be shown and described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 7.

The external threading 556 of the nozzle connector 550 can extend fromthe first connector end 552 towards the second connector end 554. In thepresent aspect, the external threading 556 can be configured toterminate before reaching the second connector end 554. As shown, insome aspects, the nozzle connector 550 may define additional externalthreading 560 extending from the second connector end 554 towards theexternal threading 556. The additional external threading 560 can beconfigured for connecting the nozzle connector 550 to the nozzle 140 a(shown in FIG. 1). For example, the additional external threading 560can be configured to mate with internal threading on the nozzle 140 a.In other aspects, the external threading 556 and/or the additionalexternal threading 560 can be formed as internal threading configured tomate with external threading formed on the nozzle cap 150 and/or thenozzle 140 a, respectively.

FIG. 6 illustrates the spaced nozzle cap assembly 500 comprising thenozzle cap spacer 310 and the nozzle cap 150. As shown, to assemble thenozzle cap spacer 310 with the nozzle cap 150, the nozzle cap spacer 310can be inserted into the threaded bore 216 of the cap body 210. Thefront spacer surface 312 (shown in FIG. 3) of the nozzle cap spacer 310can be configured to abut the inner wall 220 of the cap body 210, andthe spacer spring arms 330 can be naturally biased radially outward,relative to the cap axis 201, to engage the bore sidewall 217 of thethreaded bore 216 adjacent to the inner wall 220. For example, in thepresent aspect, the spacer spring arms 330 can be configured to extendinto the annular recess 219 (shown in FIG. 2) to engage the boresidewall 217. In example aspects, the spacer spring arms 330 can becompressed inward during insertion of the nozzle cap spacer 310 into thethreaded bore 216 to prevent the spacer spring arms 330 from springingoutward before the nozzle cap spacer 310 is properly positioned againstthe inner wall 220. According to example aspects, the rigid material ofthe inner housing 230 can prevent the spacer spring arms 330 fromwidening to the fully extended orientation within the threaded bore 216;and thus, the spacer spring arms 330 can be compressed by the boresidewall 217 to the partially compressed orientation, as shown, or thefully compressed orientation. According to example aspects, the nozzlecap spacer 310 can be retained in position within the threaded bore 216by one or more fasteners, such as, for example, adhesives, welding,screws, or any other suitable fastener known in the art. In someaspects, the engagement of the spacer spring arms 330 with the boresidewall 217 can retain the nozzle cap spacer 310 in position. Moreover,as shown, the nozzle cap spacer 310 can be configured such that it doesnot interfere with the leak channel 250 when received within thethreaded bore 216. For example, in the present aspect, the nozzle capspacer 310 can be positioned adjacent to, but does not extend into, theleak channel 250. Thus, pressurized water within the nozzle 140 a (shownin FIG. 1) can leak out of the nozzle 140 a through the leak channel 250even with the nozzle cap spacer 310 engaged with the nozzle cap 150.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spaced nozzle capassembly 500 engaged with the nozzle connector 550 of the nozzle 140 a(shown in FIG. 1) assembled and taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5.According to example aspects, the nozzle cap spacer 310 can beconfigured to alter a rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150 relativeto the nozzle 140 a when received within the threaded bore 216. Forexample, in an aspect wherein the internal threading 218 of the threadedbore 216 is right-handed threading, the nozzle cap 150 can be tightenedonto the nozzle connector 550 of the nozzle 140 a by rotating the nozzlecap 150 in a clockwise direction about the cap axis 201. In aspects notcomprising the nozzle cap spacer 310, the first connector end 552 of thenozzle connector 550 can be configured to abut the inner wall 220 toform a seal between the nozzle 140 a (shown in FIG. 1) and the nozzlecap 150. However, in such an aspect, the nozzle cap 150 may be orientedin an undesirable position when tightened onto the nozzle 140 a (e.g.,the antenna 700 may not be oriented in the desired upward-facingposition). As such, it may be necessary to re-orient the nozzle cap 150in a more desirable position while still maintaining the seal betweenthe nozzle cap 150 and the nozzle 140 a.

The nozzle cap spacer 310 can be provided for adjusting the rotationalindexing of the nozzle cap 150 relative to the nozzle connector 550 tore-orient the nozzle cap 150 in a more desirable position. As shown, thenozzle cap spacer 310 can be retained within the threaded bore 216against the inner wall 220 of the nozzle cap 150. The external threading556 of the nozzle connector 550 can mate with the internal threading 218of the threaded bore 216, and the nozzle cap 150 can be rotated on thenozzle connector 550 until the first connector end 552 of the nozzleconnector 550 abuts the rear spacer surface 514 of the nozzle cap spacer310. In example aspects, the nozzle cap 150 can be sufficientlytightened to form a seal between the nozzle connector 550 and the spacednozzle cap assembly 500. According to example aspects, the thickness T(shown in FIG. 4) of the nozzle cap spacer 310 can determine theadjustment in the rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150 relative tothe nozzle connector 550. As such, in some aspects, the thickness T ofthe nozzle cap spacer 310 may be selected based on the required changein rotational indexing to orient the nozzle cap 150 in a desiredposition. For example, in one aspect, the antenna 700 may be orientedabout 90° from the desired upward-facing position when the nozzle cap150 is tightened onto the nozzle connector 550 without the nozzle capspacer 310. As such, it can be required to adjust the rotationalindexing of the nozzle cap 150 relative to the nozzle connector 550 byabout 90°, and the thickness T of the nozzle cap spacer 310 can beselected based on the required adjustment. In other aspects, a thinnernozzle cap spacer 310 can be selected for adjusting the rotationalindexing of the nozzle cap 150 by less than 90° and a thicker nozzle capspacer 310 can be selected for adjusting the rotational indexing of thenozzle cap 150 by greater than 90°.

According to some example aspects, supplementary nozzle cap spacers 310can be added to the spaced nozzle cap assembly 500 to achieve thedesired rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150 relative to the nozzleconnector 550. For example, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 8, apair of nozzle cap spacers 310 a,b can be provided for increasing theadjustment in the rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150. In otheraspects, more or fewer nozzle cap spacers 310 can be provided as neededfor further increasing or lessening, respectively, the rotationalindexing. According to example aspects, the number of nozzle cap spacers310 provided, and/or the thickness T (shown in FIG. 4) of the nozzle capspacers 310 provided, can be selected based on the required change inrotational indexing to orient the nozzle cap 150 in a desired position.For example, in one aspect, the antenna 700 (shown in FIG. 7) can beoriented about 180° from the desired upward-facing position when thenozzle cap 150 is tightened onto the nozzle connector 550 of the nozzle140 a without the nozzle cap spacers 310 a,b. As such, it can berequired to adjust the rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150relative to the nozzle connector 550 by about 180°. In an instancewherein each nozzle cap spacer 310 defines a thickness T configured toadjust the rotational indexing by about 90°, the pair of the nozzle capspacers 310 a,b can be provided, as shown, such that together the nozzlecap spacers 310 a,b can adjust the rotational indexing by about 180°. Inother aspects, the spaced nozzle cap assembly 500 can comprise fewernozzle cap spacers 310 for adjusting the rotational indexing of thenozzle cap 150 by less than 180° or can comprise additionalsupplementary nozzle cap spacers 310 for adjusting the rotationalindexing by greater than 180°. In other aspects, the thickness T of eachof the nozzle cap spacers 310 can be configured to adjust the rotationalindexing by more or less than 90°. Moreover, in some aspects, thethickness T of the nozzle cap spacers 310 can vary. For example, in aninstance wherein it is desired to adjust the rotational indexing of thenozzle cap 150 relative to the nozzle connector 550 by about 120°, thefirst one of the nozzle cap spacers 310 a may be provided comprising afirst thickness configured to adjust the rotational indexing by about90°, and the second one of the nozzle cap spacer 310 b may be providedcomprising a second, lesser thickness configured to adjust therotational indexing by about 30°.

As shown, each of the pair of nozzle cap spacer 310 a,b can be orientedsuch that it is concentric to the cap axis 201. The nozzle cap spacers310 a,b can be generally positioned between the nozzle cap 150 and thenozzle connector 550. FIG. 9 illustrates the pair of nozzle cap spacers310 a,b stacked together for insertion into the threaded bore 216 (shownin FIG. 2) of the nozzle cap 150 (shown in FIG. 1). The rear spacersurface 514 a of the first nozzle cap spacer 310 a can be configured toabut the front spacer surface 312 b (shown in FIG. 8) of the secondnozzle cap spacer 310 b. The spacer body 320 a and body opening 326 ofthe first nozzle cap spacer 310 a can be configured to substantiallyalign with the spacer body 320 b and body opening 326, respectively, ofthe second nozzle cap spacer 310 b, as shown. In some aspects, thespacer spring arms 330 of the first and second nozzle cap spacers 310a,b can also be configured to align, though in other aspects, as shown,the spacer spring arms 330 may not be aligned. For example, in thepresent aspect, the opposing pair of spacer spring arms 330 a of thefirst nozzle cap spacer 310 a can extend generally upward and downwardfrom the corresponding spacer body 320 a, relative to the orientationshown, and the opposing pair of spacer spring arms 330 b of the secondnozzle cap spacer 310 b can extend generally rightward and leftward fromthe corresponding spacer body 320 b, relative to the orientation shown.As such, each of the spacer spring arms 330 a,b can be configured toextend into the annular recess 219 (shown in FIG. 2) and to engage thebore sidewall 217 (shown in FIG. 2) of the threaded bore 216 at adifferent location.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pair of nozzle capspacers 310 a,b assembled with the nozzle cap 150 to define the spacednozzle cap assembly 500. With the pair of nozzle cap spacers 310 a,binserted into the threaded bore 216 of the nozzle cap 150, the frontspacer surface 312 a of the first nozzle cap spacer 310 a can beconfigured to abut the inner wall 220 of the nozzle cap 150. The spacerspring arms 330 a,b (330 b shown in FIG. 9) of the first and secondnozzle cap spacers 310 a,b can engage the bore sidewall 217 at theannular recess 219 to retain the first and second nozzle cap spacers 310a,b within the threaded bore 216. The external threading 556 of thenozzle connector 550 can engage the internal threading 218 formed on thebore sidewall 217 of the nozzle cap 150, and the nozzle cap 150 can betightened onto the nozzle connector 550 by rotating the nozzle cap 150about the cap axis 201, as described above. The nozzle cap 150 can betightened until the first connector end 552 of the nozzle connector 550abuts the rear spacer surface 514 b of the second nozzle cap spacer 310b. According to example aspects, the nozzle cap 150 can be sufficientlytightened to form a seal between the nozzle connector 550 and the spacednozzle cap assembly 500. In aspects comprising the pair of nozzle capspacers 310 a,b, the nozzle cap spacers 310 a,b can be configured suchthat they do not interfere with the leak channel 250 (shown in FIG. 2)formed in the inner wall 220 and the bore sidewall 217. Aspectscomprising more or fewer nozzle cap spacers 310 can also be configuredto not interfere with the leak channel 250.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of a spaced nozzle cap assembly 500comprising the nozzle cap 150 and the nozzle cap spacer 310, accordingto another aspect of the disclosure. In the present aspect, the nozzlecap spacer 310 can be a gasket spacer 1150 formed from a compressible,resilient material, such as, for example, rubber. In other aspects, thegasket spacer 1150 can be formed from any other suitable material knownin the art. As shown, in the present aspect, the gasket spacer 1150 candefine a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The gasket spacer1150 can further define a substantially circular inner gasket edge 1152and a substantially circular outer gasket edge 1154, and the innergasket edge 1152 can define a gasket opening 1156 formed through acenter of the gasket spacer 1150. A leak path notch 1158 can be formedin the gasket spacer 1150 extending radially inward from the outergasket edge 1154, relative to the cap axis 201, as shown. In the presentaspect, the leak path notch 1158 can substantially define a U-shapedcross-section; however, in other aspects, the leak path notch 1158 candefine any other suitable cross-sectional shape.

As described above, the nozzle cap spacer 310 can be oriented such thatit is substantially concentric to the cap axis 201 of the nozzle cap150. The nozzle cap spacer 310 can be configured to be received withinthe threaded bore 216 of the cap body 210, in abutment with the innerwall 220 of the cap body 210. In some aspects, the gasket spacer 1150can be compressed for easy insertion into the threaded bore 216, and canbe uncompressed once properly positioned therein. In example aspects, adiameter D₂ of the gasket spacer 1150 can be slightly larger than a D₁diameter of the threaded bore 216, such that, when the gasket spacer1150 is received within the threaded bore 216, it can press against thebore sidewall 217 of the threaded bore 216 and be retained in place bythe tension between the gasket spacer 1150 and the bore sidewall 217. Insome aspects, the gasket spacer 1150 can also or alternatively beretained in position within the threaded bore 216 by one or morefasteners, such as, for example, adhesives, welding, screws, or anyother suitable fastener known in the art.

The nozzle 140 a (shown in FIG. 1) can comprise the nozzle connector 550to which the spaced nozzle cap assembly 500 can be mounted, as describedabove. For example, the nozzle connector 550 can define the externalthreading 556 configured to matingly engage the internal threading 218of the bore sidewall 217. The gasket spacer 1150 can be configured toadjust the rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150 relative to thenozzle connector 550. While the present aspect illustrates a singlegasket spacer 1150, in other aspects, supplementary gasket spacers 1150can be added to the spaced nozzle cap assembly 500 to achieve thedesired rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150 relative to the nozzleconnector 550. As such, in general, more or fewer gasket spacers 1150can be provided as needed for increasing or lessening, respectively, therotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150. According to example aspects,the number of gasket spacers 1150 provided, and/or a thickness T₂ of thegasket spacers 1150 provided, can be selected based on the requiredchange in rotational indexing to orient the nozzle cap 150 in a desiredposition.

In some aspects, various aspects of the nozzle cap spacers 310 (e.g.,the nozzle cap spacer 310 of FIGS. 3-10 and the gasket spacer 1150 ofFIG. 11) can be used in combination to achieve the desired rotationalindexing. For example, in a particular aspect, one or more of the nozzlecap spacers 310 of FIGS. 3-10 can be used to position the antenna 700(shown in FIG. 7) close to the desired orientation. One or more of thegaskets spacers 1150 can then be added to the spaced nozzle cap assembly500 to fine-tune the rotational indexing of the nozzle cap 150 toposition the antenna 700 in the desired orientation. The thickness T₂ ofthe gasket spacer(s) 1150 can be selected based on the rotationalindexing required to fine-tune the position of the antenna 700 to thedesired orientation.

According to example aspects, the gasket spacer 1150 can be configuredsuch that it does not interfere with the leak channel 250 when receivedwithin the threaded bore 216. For example, in the present aspect, whenthe gasket spacer 1150 is inserted into the threaded bore 216 of thenozzle cap, the gasket spacer 1150 can be oriented such that the leakpath notch 1158 of the gasket spacer 1150 can be aligned with the leakchannel 250. In aspects comprising multiple gasket spacers 1150, theleak path notch 1158 of each gasket spacer 1150 can be aligned with theleak channel 250. The leak path notch(es) 1158 can be sized andpositioned such that, even upon compression of the gasket spacer 1150,for example by the engagement of the outer gasket edge 1154 with thebore sidewall 217 or by the tightening of the spaced nozzle cap assembly500 on the nozzle connector 550, the leak path notch 1158 can preventthe gasket spacer 1150 from being deformed into the leak channel 250.Thus, pressurized water within the nozzle 140 a (shown in FIG. 1) canleak out of the nozzle 140 a through the leak channel 250 even with thegasket spacer 1150 engaged with the nozzle cap 150.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A nozzle cap spacer for a hydrant nozzlecap comprising: a spacer body defining an outer body edge; a resilientfirst spacer spring arm extending from the outer body edge, the firstspacer spring arm defining a proximal arm end and a distal arm end, theproximal arm end connected to the spacer body, wherein the first spacerspring arm is biased away from the spacer body in an extendedorientation, and wherein the first spacer spring arm is substantiallycoplanar with the spacer body; and a slot defined between the firstspacer spring arm and the outer body edge, wherein a width of the slotbetween the distal arm end and the outer body edge is greater than awidth of the slot between the proximal arm end and the outer body edge.2. The nozzle cap spacer of claim 1, wherein: a joint is formed betweenthe first spacer spring arm and the spacer body; a notch is formed atthe joint and is connected to the slot adjacent to the proximal arm end;and a width of the notch is greater than the width of the slot betweenthe proximal arm end and the outer body edge.
 3. The nozzle cap spacerof claim 1, wherein: the spacer body further defines an inner body edge;and the inner body edge defines a body opening formed through a centerof the spacer body.
 4. The nozzle cap spacer of claim 1, wherein thefirst spacer spring arm extends from the outer body edge at an acuteangle.
 5. The nozzle cap spacer of claim 1, wherein: the first spacerspring arm is configurable in the extended orientation and a compressedorientation; in the compressed orientation, the first spacer spring armis compressed towards the spacer body; and the nozzle cap spacer definesa substantially circular shape in the compressed orientation.
 6. Thenozzle cap spacer of claim 5, wherein: the outer body edge defines alength (L_(a)) corresponding to the first spacer spring arm; an inwardstep is formed at a distal length end of the length (L_(a)); and a bodyrecess is formed in the outer body edge along the length (L_(a)).
 7. Thenozzle cap spacer of claim 1, wherein the first spacer spring armextends from the outer body edge in a radially outward direction.
 8. Thenozzle cap spacer of claim 1, further comprising a resilient secondspacer spring arm extending from the outer body edge opposite the firstspacer spring arm, and wherein the second spacer spring arm issubstantially planar with the spacer body.
 9. The nozzle cap spacer ofclaim 1, wherein the first spacer spring arm defines a proximal arm endconnected to the spacer body, a distal arm end spaced from the spacerbody, an arcuate inner arm edge extending from the proximal arm end tothe distal arm end and an arcuate outer arm edge extending from theproximal arm end to the distal arm end.
 10. A spaced nozzle cap assemblycomprising: a nozzle cap comprising a cap body, the cap body comprisingan inner wall and a bore sidewall, the bore sidewall defining a boreterminating at the inner wall, the cap body defining a first body endand a second body end, the bore extending from the second body end ofthe cap body to the inner wall of the cap body, wherein the boresidewall defines internal threading and an annular recess, the internalthreading extends from the second body end towards the inner wall, andthe annular recess is oriented between the internal threading and theinner wall; and a nozzle cap spacer comprising a spacer body and aspacer spring arm extending substantially radially outward from thespacer body, the nozzle cap spacer received within the bore, the spacerspring arm engaging the bore sidewall, a front spacer surface of thenozzle cap spacer abutting the inner wall, wherein the spacer spring armextends into the annular recess.
 11. The spaced nozzle cap assembly ofclaim 10, wherein: the nozzle cap comprises an antenna; and the nozzlecap spacer is configured to adjust a rotational indexing of the nozzlecap to reorient the antenna.
 12. The spaced nozzle cap assembly of claim10, wherein: the nozzle cap defines a leak channel; and the nozzle capspacer is positioned adjacent to the leak channel but does not extendinto the leak channel.
 13. The spaced nozzle cap assembly of claim 12,wherein: the leak channel defines an L-shape and comprises a first leakchannel segment and a second leak channel segment; the first leakchannel segment is formed in the inner wall of the cap body; and thesecond leak channel segment is formed in a bore sidewall of the cap bodyand extends from the first leak channel segment to a second body end ofthe cap body.
 14. The spaced nozzle cap assembly of claim 10, whereinthe spacer spring arm is configurable in an extended orientation and acompressed orientation, and wherein the bore sidewall biases the spacerspring arm radially inward to the compressed orientation.
 15. A methodfor adjusting a rotational indexing of a nozzle cap comprising:providing a nozzle cap and nozzle connector, the nozzle cap defining abore sidewall, the bore sidewall defining a threaded bore; inserting anozzle cap spacer into the threaded bore to adjust a rotational indexingof the nozzle cap relative to the nozzle connector, the nozzle capspacer comprising a spacer body and a spacer spring arm extendingsubstantially radially outward from the spacer body; engaging the spacerspring arm with the bore sidewall to bias the spacer spring arm radiallyinward toward the spacer body; and connecting the nozzle cap to thenozzle connector.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein connecting thenozzle cap to the nozzle connector comprises mating internal threadingof the threaded bore with external threading of the nozzle connector androtating the nozzle cap relative to the nozzle connector.
 17. The methodof claim 15, further comprising inserting a second nozzle cap spacerinto the threaded bore to further adjust the rotational indexing of thenozzle cap relative to the nozzle connector.
 18. The method of claim 15,further comprising orienting an antenna of the nozzle cap in anupward-facing position.
 19. A spaced nozzle cap assembly comprising: anozzle cap comprising a cap body, the cap body comprising an inner walland a bore sidewall, the bore sidewall defining a bore terminating atthe inner wall, wherein the nozzle cap comprises an antenna; and anozzle cap spacer comprising a spacer body and a spacer spring armextending substantially radially outward from the spacer body, thenozzle cap spacer received within the bore, the spacer spring armengaging the bore sidewall, wherein the nozzle cap spacer is configuredto adjust a rotational indexing of the nozzle cap to reorient theantenna.
 20. A spaced nozzle cap assembly comprising: a nozzle capcomprising a cap body, the cap body comprising an inner wall and a boresidewall, the bore sidewall defining a bore terminating at the innerwall, wherein the nozzle cap defines a leak channel; and a nozzle capspacer comprising a spacer body and a spacer spring arm extendingsubstantially radially outward from the spacer body, the nozzle capspacer received within the bore, the spacer spring arm engaging the boresidewall, wherein the nozzle cap spacer is positioned adjacent to theleak channel but does not extend into the leak channel.
 21. The spacednozzle cap assembly of claim 20, wherein: the leak channel defines anL-shape and comprises a first leak channel segment and a second leakchannel segment; the first leak channel segment is formed in the innerwall of the cap body; and the second leak channel segment is formed in abore sidewall of the cap body and extends from the first leak channelsegment to a second body end of the cap body.
 22. A spaced nozzle capassembly comprising: a nozzle cap comprising a cap body, the cap bodycomprising an inner wall and a bore sidewall, the bore sidewall defininga bore terminating at the inner wall; and a nozzle cap spacer comprisinga spacer body and a spacer spring arm extending substantially radiallyoutward from the spacer body, the nozzle cap spacer received within thebore, the spacer spring arm engaging the bore sidewall; wherein thespacer spring arm is configurable in an extended orientation and acompressed orientation, and wherein the bore sidewall biases the spacerspring arm radially inward to the compressed orientation.